Even as several countries around the world succeeded in optimally harnessing their natural, human and economic wealth to achieve sustainable development goals, other resource-rich countries struggled to realise their developmental aspirations. The cause of this disparity and how effective communication can help nations achieve their targets was the focus of an insightful discussion titled ‘A Message from Mother Earth’ which took place on the opening day of the International Governmental Communications Forum (IGCF 2023), in Sharjah on Wednesday.